And he also said that at some point schemes to tax high emission older diesel vehicles might be necessary in West Midland city centres.

Telegraph readers were mostly against a Coventry congestion charging scheme.

Responding to the story on the Telegraph’s website Graham Williams said: “Here we go again something else which was not mentioned in Mr Street’s election propaganda - well done to all those who agreed to joining WMCA.”

MarcusRHorne said: “If you want to put the final nail in the coffin for our city centre this is the way to do it.”

Whitnashgrove pledged to “never go there again - damn cheek” if a city centre congestion charge was introduced and added “all it is these days is take take take!”

They added that shops on the outskirts of town were just as good and that the city centre had become “a ghost town and boring” with “no good shops, no sheltered seating areas and no damn toilets”.

eugeneaustin007 said: “Time we had a vote on getting out of the WMCA after all we didn’t want it in the first place.”

The new electricTX5 London taxi which will be built at the London Taxi Company's new factory in Ansty (Image: Coventry Telegraph)

AB1000 said: “Why oh why is it always the motorist that gets hammered! Speed cameras, hospital parking charges, tax on fuel, parking fines, road tax etc. But do we see any improvements? Roads are full of pot holes and we get nothing back in return. The city centre is already depleted, this will definitely kill it off once and for all!”

Raymond1993 said: “Road tax, petrol tax, tax on your insurance and paying to park in the first place don’t drivers already pay enough?”

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As to whether the prospect of taxing older diesel cars was a good move most disagreed but there was a feeling that it wasn’t just about cars.

Superskybluesisu said: “So the Government put in place road tax cuts etc for diesel cars to get people to buy them and now want to punish people for having diesel cars. Complete shambles.”

AgainstCTCensorship said: “Diesel cars, whilst a significant contributor to NOx levels are not the only cause. Domestic and commercial gas boilers are far worse, but no-one wants to talk about this. Diesel trains are another source, with solid research illustrating the evidence around railway stations and lines. Diesel generators too.”

littlebig said: “Is he (Andy Street) willing to get the funding or the bus companies to provide cleaner vehicles as there are some buses in Coventry and Birmingham at present when they accelerate they leave a cloud of black smoke behind them.”

LocalBeero said: “What about that massive bulk incinerator the council is operating in London Road, how many Coventrians have gone to an early grave because of that environmental monstrosity?”

OscarLaCosta said: “Mr Street is getting quite a name for himself - and not a good one. He can do what he likes in Birmingham, but leave Coventry alone, we don’t want your interference. The way I understand it, a few years ago we were being encouraged to buy diesel cars because they were less polluting than petrol. So I went and bought one, only to be told now that I am to be punished for taking notice of that (good) advice. Ann Lucas and co should never have signed us up to become part of Birmingham.”

Some took the view a Coventry congestion charge was never likely to happen.

HarryLime said: “The headline is a rhetorical question, no one has said it even “might” happen, why the outrage? You might as well be responding to a “will aliens invade?” headline.”

AndyMcDonald said: “Can’t see it ever happening as thankfully much of the city centre is pedestrianised or shared space with not a lot of on street parking.

“If you want charges to reduce pollution they’d be better placed along Queensland Road and the A45 as there are the worst spots for sitting traffic.”

Some readers accepted congestion charging might be needed but also urged people to explore other forms of transport such as cycling.

GeorgeRiches said: “69% of all car journeys were less than 5 miles long (2005 number). So plenty could be made by cycling. Maybe cycle to a railway station for longer journeys?”

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AndyMcDonald said: “I have a car. I do 20k per year with both work and private mileage. Still, it’s the cleanest one I can afford and anything less than 12 miles with just me (and my laptop if for work) and I cycle. It’s not difficult, it’s good for me and not bad for the environment.

“I have kids and want to do the best I can to make sure they have a habitable planet for themselves, their kids and grandchildren without having to worry. If it means a bit of sweat or paying a bit extra for more eco friendly options I do it. If everyone had this mindset we’d all be a lot happier I think.”

(Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Concerns were also raised about a congestion tax being yet another stealth tax.

Knightandday said: “Cars are a problem “yes” but if it wasn’t for cars we wouldn’t have an economy because you cannot rely on industry because we done have one. The amount of money that is created for the Treasury by car owners is enormous.

“Now that’s why governments are very slow in looking at other ways to clean up the emissions. This toll will happen in Birmingham and quite possibly in Coventry too but it isn’t the way of reducing emissions it is just another way to add a tax.

“We need clean fuel driven cars, not dirty old buses and as long as the Government collects money from hard pressed drivers it will stay the same for years to come.”

Increasing numbers of electric vehicles was also cited as a reason congestion charging may not be needed in Coventry.

Localboy said: “Cars are going electric over the next 10 years, what then?

“When cars are all electric, with no emissions, there will still be congestion.”